Reductant nozzle with concave impinging surface

ABSTRACT

A nozzle including an interior cavity, a structure disposed within the interior cavity, a first channel fluidly connected to the interior cavity, one or more second channels fluidly connected to the interior cavity, and one or more outlets coupled to the interior cavity. The structure includes a bottom impinging surface that is at least partially concave, one or more legs that support the bottom impinging surface, and a top surface located opposite the bottom impinging surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to an exhaust treatment system and,more particularly, to a nozzle that injects a reductant solution into afluid path within an exhaust treatment system.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines, gasoline engines,gaseous fuel-powered engines, and other engines known in the art,exhaust a complex mixture of components. These components may includenitrogen oxides (NO_(x)), such as NO and NO₂. Due to an increased focuson avoiding environmental pollution, exhaust emission standards arebecoming more stringent, and the amount of NO_(x) emitted from enginesmay be regulated depending on engine size, engine class, and/or enginetype. To ensure compliance with the regulation of these compounds, aswell as reduce harmful effects on the environment, some enginemanufacturers have implemented a strategy called Selective CatalyticReduction (SCR). SCR is a process where gaseous and/or liquid reductant,most commonly urea ((NH₂)2CO), is selectively added to engine exhaustusing one or more nozzles. The injected reductant decomposes intoammonia (NH₃), reacts with the NO_(X) in the exhaust, and forms water(H₂O) and diatomic nitrogen (N₂).

As described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0222317 toHuffman, published on Nov. 11, 2004 (hereinafter referred to as the '317reference), spray nozzles may utilize pressurized air to break downreductant into relatively small particles. In particular, the '317reference describes a multi-stage spray nozzle assembly, where at afirst stage, liquid reductant impinges an end wall and disperses outwardto mix with air. At a later stage, the stream of reductant and airstrikes an impingement fan to further break down and reduce the particlesize of the mixture. The stream is directed to spray tip orifices fordischarging into exhaust.

While the spray nozzle of the '317 reference may attempt to increase theatomization of the reductant, the spray nozzle may be suboptimal. Forexample, the spray nozzle described in the '317 reference is relativelysmall in size, and due to the limited internal volume of the spraynozzle, effective atomization of the reductant may be difficult toachieve. Additionally, the impinging surface discussed in the '317reference is flat, and this configuration may further hinder theatomization of the reductant. In such instances, the non-atomizedreductant will not react with the NO_(x), when injected into theexhaust, and as a result, the efficiency of the nozzle may be limited.Moreover, impinging reductant upon a flat surface, as described in the'317 reference, may unevenly distribute or disperse the reductant withinthe nozzle. As a result, the reductant may not uniformly mix with airthat is provided to the nozzle, potentially leading to a sub-optimalatomization. Further, the '317 reference describes a nozzle havingmultiple distinct and assembled parts, and such a nozzle configurationmay increase the size, complexity, assembly time, and/or manufacturingcost of the nozzle. Such multi-part nozzles are also often difficult toclean and may become clogged easily.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towardovercoming one or more of the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a nozzle comprises afirst end including a first inlet and a second inlet, a second endincluding a nozzle outlet. A first channel fluidly connects to the firstinlet and extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of thenozzle. A second channel fluidly connects to the second inlet andextends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle.The nozzle comprises an interior cavity including a first outlet fluidlyconnected the first channel, a second outlet fluidly connected to thesecond channel, and an impinging surface that is concave-shaped andspaced apart from the second outlet. A third channel fluidly connects tothe nozzle outlet.

In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, a nozzlecomprises an interior cavity, a first channel fluidly connected to theinterior cavity, one or more second channels fluidly connected to theinterior cavity, and one or more outlets coupled to the interior cavity.A structure is disposed within the interior cavity, where the structureincludes a bottom impinging surface that is at least partiallyconcave-shaped. The structure includes one or more legs that support thebottom impinging surface. A top surface of the structure that is atleast partially conical-shaped and is located opposite the bottomimpinging surface.

In yet another example embodiment of the present disclosure, an exhaustsystem comprises an exhaust pipe, a nozzle located with the exhaustpipe, and a supply line fluidly connected to the nozzle. The nozzlecomprises an interior cavity having a bottom end, a top end, and asidewall extending from the bottom end to the top end. A channel havinga first outlet is disposed at the bottom end of the interior cavity, apassageway having a second outlet is disposed at the sidewall of theinterior cavity, and a spray outlet is disposed at the top end of theinterior cavity. The interior cavity comprises structure that includes afirst side facing the bottom end of the interior cavity. A leg extendsof the structure from the bottom end of the interior cavity and couplesto the first side to space the first side from the bottom end of theinterior cavity. The first side of the structure includes asubstantially concave-shaped surface and is located adjacent to thefirst outlet of the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exhaust treatment system, showing anexample nozzle in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective with of the nozzle of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a first cross-sectional view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a second cross-sectional view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an interior cavity of the nozzle ofFIG. 1, showing directional flows of air and reductant in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a negative space within the nozzle ofFIG. 1 in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the negative space within the nozzle of FIG. 1in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the negative space of FIG. 11 inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example nozzle inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an example manufacturing technique to produce the examplenozzles in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to nozzles useful for injecting amixture of reductant and air into an exhaust stream. Wherever possible,the same reference number(s) will be used through the drawings to referto the same or like features. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) ofa reference number identifies the figure in which the reference numberfirst appears.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example exhaust system 100. For the purposes ofthis disclosure, the exhaust system 100 is depicted and described in usewith a diesel-fueled, internal combustion engine. However, it iscontemplated that the exhaust system 100 may embody any exhaust systemuseable with any other type of combustion engine such as, a gasoline ora gaseous fuel-powered engine, or an engine fueled by compressed orliquefied natural gas, propane, or methane.

The example exhaust system 100 includes components that conditionbyproducts of combustion. For example, the exhaust system 100 mayinclude a treatment system 102 that removes regulated constituents fromexhaust 104 and/or acts on such regulated constituents. The exhaust 104may be produced by an engine (not shown), and may enter the exhaustsystem 100 via an exhaust inlet 106 of an exhaust pipe 108. Uponentering the exhaust system 100, the exhaust 104 may pass within theexhaust pipe 108 in the direction of arrows 110, and may exit theexhaust system 100 via an exhaust outlet 112.

Within the exhaust pipe 108, the exhaust 104 may undergo one or moretreatment processes. For example, the treatment processes may include aconversion of NO to NO₂. A portion of the treatment system 102 is shownin greater detail in the enlarged view 114. Among other components, thetreatment system 102 may include a nozzle 116 that receives reductantand air, facilitates mixing of reductant and air to atomize thereductant, and disperses a reductant and air solution into the exhaust104. In some examples, the reductant received by the nozzle 116 mayinclude a gaseous or liquid reductant. For example, such a reductant maybe ammonia gas, liquefied anhydrous ammonia, ammonium carbonate, anamine salt solution, or a hydrocarbon such as diesel fuel, capable ofbeing sprayed or otherwise advanced by the nozzle 116 and into theexhaust 104.

The example treatment system 102 may also include a supply line 118, andthe supply line 118 may be configured to feed the nozzle 116 with fluidand/or gas useful in treating the exhaust 104. In some examples, thesupply line 118 may include multiple distinct supply lines (e.g., thesupply line 118 may comprise a double pipe) such as a compressed airline, and a reductant supply line that may be separate from thecompressed air line. In such examples, the compressed air line maysupply compressed air to the nozzle 116 and the reductant supply linemay supply reductant to the nozzle 116. The treatment system 102 mayalso include a compressor (not shown) configured to supply compressedair via the supply line 118, and one or more reservoirs and pumps (notshown) configured to supply reductant via the supply line 118. In someembodiments, an amount of compressed air and/or an amount of reductantsupplied may depend on a flow rate of the exhaust 104, an operationalstate of the engine (e.g., rpm), a temperature of the exhaust 104, aconcentration of NO_(x) in the exhaust 104, and/or one or more otheroperating conditions of the treatment system 102 or of the engine. Forexample, as the flow rate of the exhaust 104 decreases, a controller orother control component (not shown) operably connected to the pump maycontrol the pump to commensurately decrease the amount of reductantand/or air supplied to the nozzle 116 (and thereby introduced into theexhaust 104). Alternatively, as the flow rate of the exhaust 104increases, the controller or other control component may increase theamount of reductant and/or air supplied to the nozzle 116.

The nozzle 116 may be fluidly connected to the supply line 118, at afirst end 120 of the nozzle 116, via one or more fittings or couplersconfigured to receive air and/or reductant via the supply line 118.Additionally, the nozzle 116 may be disposed within the exhaust pipe 108at a fixed location, and the supply line 118 may support the nozzle 116at any location within an inner passage formed by the exhaust pipe 108.In some examples, the may nozzle 116 may be disposed substantiallycentrally within the exhaust pipe 108. In other examples, the nozzle 116may be disposed proximate and/or adjacent to a wall of the exhaust pipe108 (e.g., proximate and/or adjacent to a wall forming the inner passageof the exhaust pipe 108).

As discussed in detail herein, the nozzle 116 may be formed and/orotherwise configured to direct supplied reductant to impinge on and/oragainst an impinging surface within the nozzle 116. This process maycause the reductant to break up the into fine particles or droplets. Thenozzle 116 may also be formed and/or otherwise configured to directsupplied air to mix with the reductant particles, which may furtherfacilitate atomization of the reductant. In such examples, air andreductant may mix within the nozzle 116 to form a reductant solution.The nozzle 116 may also be configured to disperse and/or otherwisedirect the reductant solution into the exhaust 104 through one or moreoutlets disposed at a second end 122 of the nozzle 116. In someembodiments, the outlets at the second end 122 of the nozzle 116 (orchannels that feed the outlets) may be helical to further enhance mixingof air and reductant, impart a circular flow to the reductant solutionexiting the nozzle 116, or vary a plume size of the reductant solutionwithin the exhaust 104. Additionally, the second end 122 of the nozzle116 may be oriented such that the reductant solution may dispersesubstantially in-line with and/or substantially in the same direction asthe flow of the exhaust 104 within the exhaust pipe 108. In someexamples, the reductant solution may be dispersed in a substantiallyconical-shaped plume and with a swirling motion about a longitudinalaxis of the nozzle 116. Accordingly, when the reductant solution isdispersed into the exhaust 104, the reductant solution may react withNO_(x) (e.g., NO and/or NO₂) in the exhaust 104 to form water (H₂O) andelemental nitrogen (N₂).

While only one nozzle 116 is shown coupled to the supply line 118, insome embodiments, the exhaust system 100 and/or the treatment system 102may include more than one nozzle 116. Moreover, the exhaust system 100and/or the treatment system 102 may include more than one supply line118, and the exhaust system 100 may include any number of exhaust pipes108 having one or more nozzles 116 and/or one or more supply lines 118positioned therein. Additionally, in some examples, the nozzle(s) 116may inject reductant solution into the exhaust 104 along a substantiallystraight section of the exhaust system 100 (e.g., within a substantiallystraight section of the exhaust pipe 108) to improve mixing of thereductant solution with the exhaust 104 and/or to increase the level ofreaction between the reductant solution and NO_(x) in the exhaust 104.

In some embodiments, the nozzle 116 may be located downstream from aselective catalytic reduction (SCR) system within the exhaust system 100and/or other treatment systems. Further, the exhaust system 100 and/ortreatment system 102 may include one or more oxidation catalysts, mixingfeatures, particulate filters (e.g., diesel particulate filter (DPF)),SCR substrates, ammonia reduction catalysts, and other devicesconfigured to further enhance the effectiveness of reducing NO_(X).

FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the nozzle 116. As shown inFIG. 2, in some examples the first end 120 of the nozzle 116 may becylindrically-shaped while the second end 122 of the nozzle 116 isconically-shaped. In other examples, the first end 120 of the nozzle 116may be cylindrically-shaped while the second end 122 of the nozzle 116may be dome-shaped. Additionally, an exterior surface 200 of the nozzle116 may extend between the first end 120 and the second end 122. Theexterior surface 200 of the nozzle 116 may be a continuous smoothsurface with rounded corners and edges to potentially reduce drag and/orturbulence as the exhaust 104 passes over the nozzle 116.

The second end 122 of the nozzle 116 may include one or more spraychannel outlets 202 for dispersing the reductant solution into theexhaust 104. The spray channel outlets 202 may be formed on the exteriorsurface 200 of the nozzle 116. In some embodiments, the spray channeloutlets 202 may be evenly distributed about a longitudinal axis 204 ofthe nozzle 116. As will be described below, the nozzle 116 may includerespective flow passages and/or other channels (shown in FIGS. 11 and12) to direct the reductant solution from an interior cavity of thenozzle 116 to one or more of the spray channel outlets 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the nozzle 116. Thefirst end 120 of the nozzle 116 may include an air channel inlet 300that is configured to receive air from the supply line 118 and areductant channel inlet 302, that is separate from the air channel inlet300, and that is configured to receive reductant from the supply line118. As shown, the air channel inlet 300 and the reductant channel inlet302 may be substantially annular fluid inlets defined by the nozzle 116.For example, the air channel inlet 300 may extend substantially aroundthe reductant channel inlet 302 and may resemble a ring or annulus thatencircles (e.g., is concentric with) the reductant channel inlet 302.The reductant channel inlet 302 may be substantially centrally locatedwithin the nozzle 116, and may be substantially concentric with thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116.

In such examples, the air channel inlet 300 may be fluidly connected toan air channel 304 defined by the nozzle 116. The air channel inlet 300may be configured to supply the air channel 304 with air received fromthe supply line 118. Further, the reductant channel inlet 302 may befluidly connected to a reductant channel 306 defined by the nozzle 116.In such examples, the reductant channel inlet 302 may be configured tosupply the reductant channel 306 with reductant received from the supplyline 118. In example embodiments, the air channel 304 and/or thereductant channel 306 may extend from the first end 120 of the nozzle116 towards the second end 122 of the nozzle 116 to direct air andreductant into an interior cavity of the nozzle 116, respectively.Within the interior cavity, the air and the reductant may mix to form areductant solution, and the reductant solution may be directed to exitthe second end 122 of the nozzle 116 through the one or more spraychannel outlets 202. Additionally, the first end 120 of the nozzle 116may be configured to couple the nozzle 116 to the supply line 118 viathreads included in the first end 120, via a snap fit, via a compressionfitting, and/or via one or more of the couplers described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the nozzle 116. As shown, the nozzle116 may be substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 204 ofthe nozzle 116. As discussed above, the first end 120 the nozzle 116 maybe substantially cylindrically-shaped and the second end 122 of thenozzle 116 may be substantially conical, substantially frustoconical,substantially domed-shaped, and/or any other configuration. A dimension(e.g., a width or diameter) of the nozzle 116 may reduce in size fromthe first end 120 of the nozzle 116 to the second end 122 of the nozzle116. For instance, the first end 120 of the nozzle 116 may have a firstdiameter or cross-sectional distance (D1) that may be greater than asecond diameter or cross-sectional distance (D2) at the second end 122of the nozzle 116. The exterior surface 200 of the nozzle 116 maysmoothly transition between the first diameter D1 and the seconddiameter D2 (vice versa) to form a continuous surface.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the nozzle 116. The second end 122 ofthe nozzle 116 may include the spray channel outlets 202 for dispersingthe reductant solution into the exhaust 104. The spray channel outlets202 may include a plurality of cross-sectional shapes or dimensions. Forexample, the spray channel outlets 202 may be substantially conical,substantially circular, substantially trapezoidal, substantially square,substantially rectangular, substantially ovular, and/or any other shape.In some example embodiments, the spray channel outlets 202, or thechannels that supply the reductant solution to the spray channel outlets202, may be helical and/or oriented in an outward direction away fromthe exterior surface 200 at the second end 122 of the nozzle 116. Thatis, in some examples, the spray channel outlets 202 and/or the spraychannels may be angled and/or otherwise configured to direct thereductant solution away from the longitudinal axis 204 (FIG. 2) of thenozzle 116. Such a configuration may assist in dispersing the reductantsolution within the exhaust 104 (FIG. 1), mixing the air and reductantwithin the nozzle 116, and/or adjusting a size of a plume dispersed bythe nozzle 116. Additionally, the helical nature of the channels maycause the reductant solution to exit the nozzle 116 in a swirling motionabout the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116.

In some examples, the spray channel outlets 202 may be substantiallyevenly distributed and/or radially-spaced around the second end 122 andabout the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116. Additionally,individual spray channel outlets 202 may be diametrically opposed fromone another such that the reductant solution may uniformly disperse intothe exhaust 104. Further, while FIG. 5 illustrates eight spray channeloutlets 202, the nozzle 116 may include more than or less than eightspray channel outlets 202. For instance, the nozzle 116 may includetwelve spray channel outlets 202 or four spray channel outlets 202.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the nozzle 116. As shown in FIG. 6,in some examples the air channel 304 may diverge, branch, or otherwisesplit into multiple air passageways 600 defined by the nozzle 116, suchas four air passageways 600. That is, while FIG. 2 illustrates the airchannel 304 including a substantially cylindrical shape, the air channel304 may extend into the nozzle 116 in the direction of the longitudinalaxis 204 for a predetermined length, and may branch into the variousrespective air passageways 600 defined by the nozzle 116. Each of theair passageways 600 may include a corresponding air passageway inlet 602defined by the nozzle 116 and configured to receive air from the airchannel 304. In some example embodiments, the air passageways 600 andthe air passageway inlets 602 may be evenly distributed around thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116 such that the air passageways600 may be substantially diametrically opposed from one another.

As shown in FIG. 6, one or more of the air passageways 600 may include across-sectional area at the air passageway inlet 602 that may resemble asubstantially curved and/or substantially ovular shape. As the airpassageways 600 advance radially inwardly towards the interior cavity,in a direction toward the second end 122 of the nozzle 116, one or moreof the air passageways 600 may taper (e.g., may decrease in diameter) toa respective air passageway outlet. Additionally, the air passageways600 may be curved, tapered, chamfered, frustoconical, and/or anycombination thereof.

The air passageways 600 may be configured to direct air, received viathe air passageway inlets 602, towards the interior cavity of the nozzle116, where the air may be directed towards the reductant. Additionally,because a cross-sectional area of the air passageways 600 reduces insize as the air passageways 600 advances towards the interior cavity600, a velocity of air passing through the respective air passageways600 may increase as the air approaches the second end 122 of the nozzle116. Accordingly, when injected into the interior cavity, the air maybreak up the reductant at an increased velocity to increase anatomization of the reductant. In some embodiments, each of the airpassageways 600 may comprise a similar size and shape compared to oneanother such that the air passageways 600 each receive a substantiallyequal amount of air from the air channel 304. In turn, by having asimilar size and/or shape, the air supplied by each of the airpassageways 600 may uniformly mix with the reductant, potentiallyleading to a substantially uniform atomization within the interiorcavity of the nozzle 116. Further, although FIG. 6 illustrates theexample air channel 304 branching into four air passageways 600, thenozzle 116 may include more than or less than four air passageways 600.For instance, in some examples the nozzle 116 may include greater thanor less than twelve air passageways 600.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 116 taken alongan X-Y plane, and as viewed from an off-perpendicular angle relative tothe X-Y plane. As shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle 116 may include aninterior cavity 700 disposed interior to the exterior surface 200 of thenozzle 116. As shown, the interior cavity 700 may be disposed betweenthe first end 120 and the second end 122 of the nozzle 116, but in someinstances, may be disposed closer to the second end 122 than the firstend 120 of the nozzle 116.

The interior cavity 700 may be formed by the nozzle 116, and may bedefined by a bottom end 702, a top end 704, and a sidewall 706 formed bythe nozzle 116. In such examples, the sidewall 706 may extend from thebottom end 702 to the top end 704 of the interior cavity 700. In someexamples, the interior cavity 700 may include a structure 708 and achamber 710. For instance, the structure 708 may be substantiallycentrally located within the interior cavity 700, and the structure 708may be substantially centrally aligned with the longitudinal axis 204 ofthe nozzle 116. In some instances, the structure 708 may extend from thebottom end 702 of the interior cavity 700 towards the top end 704 of theinterior cavity 700. However, in some embodiments, the structure 708 mayextend from the top end 704 or the sidewall 706 of the interior cavity700.

As shown in FIG. 7, in some examples the structure 708 may include afirst side having impinging surface 712, and a second side opposite thefirst side having a substantially conical top 714. In some examples, theimpinging surface 712 may be substantially concave and may include asubstantially conical surface, a substantially semi-spherical surface,and/or a combination thereof. In some examples, the impinging surface712 may be oriented at an acute included angle equal to approximately 15degrees, approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, and/or anyother value relative to an axis or plane extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116.

The structure 708 may further include one or more columns, posts, orlegs 716 that extend from the first side of the structure 708, adjacentto the impinging surface 712. The legs 716 may offset or support theimpinging surface 712 of the structure 708 above or opposite thereductant channel 306. For example, the legs 716 may couple thestructure 708 to the bottom end 702, the top end 704, and/or thesidewall 706 to support the impinging surface 712 from the bottom end702 of the interior cavity 700 or away from a reductant channel outlet718 at any desired distance. In some embodiments, the structure 708 mayinclude four legs 716 that are substantially equally spaced around thereductant channel 306 (i.e., spaced approximately 90 degrees apart).However, in some embodiments the structure 708 may include more than orless than four legs 712. For example, the structure 708 may includethree legs 716. Additionally, gaps or spaces may be disposed betweenadjacent legs 716.

In some example embodiments, a centerline of the reductant channel 306may align with a center point (or centerline) of the impinging surface712 of the structure 708. In such examples, the longitudinal axis 204 ofthe nozzle 116 may pass substantially centrally through the impingingsurface 712 and through the reductant channel 306. Additionally, in someembodiments, the impinging surface 712 may include a similar width asthe reductant channel 306. However, in some embodiments, the width ofthe impinging surface 712 may be larger than the width of the reductantchannel 306 to account for any expansion of the reductant exiting thereductant outlet 718.

As discussed above, the nozzle 116 may include one or more airpassageways 600 that terminate in outlets within the interior cavity700. For example, each of the air passageways 600 may include arespective air passageway inlet 602 and a corresponding air passagewayoutlet 720 that disperses air into the interior cavity 700. In someembodiments, the air passageways 600 may terminate at the sidewall 706of the interior cavity 700 and form the air passageway outlets 720 thatdischarge air into the interior cavity 700.

In some embodiments, an orientation of the air passageway outlets 720may be substantially perpendicular to the reductant channel 306 and/orthe reductant channel outlet 718. In other words, the reductant mayenter the interior cavity 700 substantially axially and along thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116, while the air enters theinterior cavity 700 radially or substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116. Additionally, the airpassageway outlets 720 may be substantially equally spaced around aperimeter of the interior cavity 700.

The top end 704 of the interior cavity 700 may converge (e.g., having asmaller diameter than the bottom end 702) to guide and accelerate thereductant solution to the spray channel outlets 202. That is, the topend 704 may converge towards the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle116. Discussed in detail herein, channels may funnel the reductantsolution from the chamber 710 to the spray channel outlets 202.

As discussed above, the legs 716 may support the impinging surface 712from the bottom end 702 of the interior cavity 700 to allow thereductant to disperse from underneath the structure 708. Further, ininstances where the structure 708 includes more than one leg, a gap mayseparate the adjacent legs 716. In some embodiments, the air passagewayoutlets 720 may be configured and oriented to disperse air towards thegap disposed between adjacent legs 716. In some embodiments, each airpassageway outlet 720 may be disposed opposite to a respective gapbetween the legs 716 and/or oriented towards the gap. As such, the airpassageway outlets 720 may be positioned and/or oriented to inject airinto the interior cavity 700 at a location where the reductant exitsfrom underneath the structure 708. In other words, the gaps interposedbetween adjacent legs 716 may permit the reductant to radially dispersetowards the sidewall 706, where the reductant may mix with the air.

A shape of the legs 716 and/or a location of the legs 716 within theinterior cavity 700 may minimize an interference with the reductant asit passes from the reductant channel 306 toward the sidewall 706. Forexample, the legs 716 may include curved exterior surfaces, thinprofiles, and/or cross-section. Additionally, the legs 716 may includeexterior features that may induce a swirling motion into the atomizedreductant.

Additionally, the nozzle 116 may include more than four air passageways600 and associated air passageway outlets 720. Increasing the number ofair passageways 600 may increase the amount of air injected into theinterior cavity 700, which may lead to an increased atomization of thereductant. The number of the air passageways 600 may depend on anoperational environment of the nozzle 116. For example, in applicationswhere the flow rate or volume of exhaust 104 is high, including more airpassageways 600 may increase the atomization of the reductant and/orcompensate for an increased flow rate of reductant.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 116 taken alongan X-Y plane, and as viewed perpendicular to the X-Y plane. FIG. 8illustrates that the bottom end 702 or a first portion of the interiorcavity 700 may be cylindrical, while the top end 704 may include asmaller cross-sectional diameter relative to the bottom end 702, and mayconverge to a conical shape. Accordingly, the sidewall 706 may taperinward from the bottom end 702 to the top end 704, or as the interiorcavity 700 advances radially inwardly from the first end 120 of thenozzle 116 towards the second end 122 of the nozzle 116. The tapering ofthe interior cavity 700 may impart a swirling motion into the reductantsolution to further atomize the reductant.

In such examples, the air channel 304 may extend substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116, and may diverge into theair passageways 600 (discussed in more detail in FIG. 10). The airchannel 304 may be configured to receive air, as shown by the arrows800, via the supply line 118. The reductant channel 306 may supply thereductant into the interior cavity 700. The reductant channel 718 may becentrally located within the nozzle 116 and may be disposed between thereductant inlet 302 and a reductant channel outlet 718. As shown, thereductant channel 306 may be substantially cylindrical, and may have asubstantially constant diameter. As indicated by the arrows 802, thereductant may be supplied along the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle116.

The air passageway outlets 720 may be disposed at the sidewall 706 ofthe interior cavity 700 and may be oriented towards a center of theinterior cavity 700, or towards the longitudinal axis 204, for mixingwith the reductant. In some examples, the air passageway outlets 720 ora cross section of the air passageway outlets 720 may include a varietyof shapes, such as being substantially circular, substantially ovular,and/or any other shape. FIG. 8 further illustrates that the airpassageway outlets 720 and the legs 716 may be out of phase with oneanother by 90 degrees. That is, by offsetting the air passageway outlets720 and the legs 716, vice versa, the air dispersed from the airpassageways 600 may be oriented towards a gap 804 interposed betweenadjacent legs 716.

The top end 704 of the interior cavity 700 may include spray channels806. As discussed above, the spray channels 806 may be disposed betweenthe spray channel outlets 202 and the interior cavity 700 to route thereductant solution into the exhaust 104. The spray channels 806 mayreceive the reductant solution at spray channel inlets 808 disposed atthe top end 704 of the interior cavity 700.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 116, showing aflow pattern of the reductant and air within the interior cavity 700.The cross-sectional view in FIG. 9 is shown through two of the airpassageways 600. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the reductant channel 306 maydirect reductant, as shown by arrow 900, into the interior cavity 700,where the reductant may impact the impinging surface 712 of thestructure 708. The concave nature of the impinging surface 712 mayassist in increasing the rate of atomization of the reductant. That is,through contacting, impinging, or otherwise impacting the concaveimpinging surface 712, the reductant may break-up into relatively smallparticles. As a result of contacting the impinging surface 712 of thestructure 708 the reductant may radially disperse away from thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116, towards sidewall 706 of theinterior cavity 700, and/or towards the air passageway outlets 720, asshown by arrow 902. Noted above, and as shown in FIG. 9, impacting theimpinging surface 712 radially disperses the reductant from beneath thestructure 708 via the gap 804 interposed between adjacent legs 716.

The air passageways 600 may be disposed around the reductant channel 306and may direct the air towards the interior cavity 700 (or longitudinalaxis 204), as shown by arrow 904, and air passing through the airpassageways 600 may exit the air passageways 600 via the air passagewayoutlets 720 into the interior cavity 700, as shown by arrow 906.Further, the concave geometry of the impinging surface 710 maysubstantially uniformly disperse the reductant into the interior cavity700 as the reductant impinges the impinging surface 712. Thissubstantially uniform dispersion may allow for the air to evenly mixwith the reductant. As the air passageway outlets 720 may be radiallydispersed about the interior cavity 700, the air may mix with thereductant from multiple directions. Accordingly, at a first instance,the reductant may impinge the impinging surface 712 and radiallydisperse outward towards the sidewall 706 of the interior cavity 700,and at a second instance, the air discharged from the air passageways600 may mix with the reductant.

The radial injection of the air, and the mixing of the air with thereductant, may direct or funnel the reductant solution towards the topend 704 of the interior cavity 700 and/or the chamber 710. Within thechamber 710, the air and reductant may mix to form the reductantsolution. Additionally, the nature of the conical top of the structure708 may provide a desired swirling flow pattern or effect within thechamber 710. The swirling may further assist in mixing the reductantsolution and/or further atomizing the reductant. Additionally, thechamber 710 may permit the reductant solution to expand and potentiallyreduce a crystallization of the reductant solution. This expansion mayminimize or eliminate clogging of the spray channel outlets 202.

Further, air may exit the air passageway outlets 720 at a plurality ofangles or directions. For example, the air may be injected in adirection towards the center of the interior cavity 700 or the airpassageway outlets 720 may be angled towards the sidewall 706 to inducea swirling motion within the interior cavity 700. Additionally, althoughFIG. 9 illustrates that the air passageway outlets 720 may be flush withand/or adjacent to the bottom end 702 of the interior cavity 700, insome examples, the air passageway outlets 720 may be spaced above fromthe bottom end 702 of the interior cavity 700. For instance, the airpassageway outlets 720 may be centrally disposed between the bottom end702 and the impinging surface 712 to radially mix with the reductant. Inmixing with the air, the reductant solution may funnel towards thechamber 710, as shown by arrows 908. In the chamber 710, the reductantsolution may further mix and exit the nozzle 116.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a negative space 1000corresponding to the nozzle 116. The negative space 1000 represents avoid, or void space, associated with forming the nozzle 116 of thepresent disclosure in a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing process orother manufacturing process. For example, the various components of thenegative space 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 may be representative of theair passageways 600, the interior cavity 700, and/or other flowchannels/passageways of the nozzle 116 formed in an example 3D printingprocess.

The negative space 1000 may be defined by a top 1002, which maycorrespond to the second end 122 of the nozzle 116, and a bottom 1004,which may correspond to the first end 120 of the nozzle 116. Further,the negative space 1000 may include a spray channel void space 1006corresponding to the channels 806 of the nozzle 116. The spray channelvoid space 1006 may include a spray channel outlet void space 1008,which may correspond to the spray channel outlets 202, and a spraychannel inlet void space 1010, which may correspond to the spray channelinlets 808. In some example embodiments, the spray channel void space1006 may be helical or spiraled about the longitudinal axis 204 of thenozzle 116. With such a configuration, as the spray channels 806 extendfrom the spray nozzle inlets 808 towards the spray channel outlets 202,the spray channels 806 may spiral about the longitudinal axis 204 of thenozzle 116. In some embodiments, because the spray channels 806 spiraltowards the second end 122 of the nozzle 116, FIG. 10 illustrates thatthe spray channel void space 1006 may converge towards the top 1002 ofthe void space 1000. Stated alternatively, at the top 1002 of the voidspace 1000, a distance 1012 extending from a center point of a firstspray channel inlet void space 1010 to a center point of a second spraychannel inlet void space 1010 adjacent to the first spray channel inletvoid space 1010 may be greater than a distance 1014 extending from acenter point of the first spray channel outlet void space 1008 to acenter point of the second spray channel outlet void space 1008 adjacentto the first spray channel outlet void space 1008.

The spray channel void space 1006 may also taper along a length of thespray channel void space 1006, between the spray channel inlet voidspace 1010 and the spray channel outlet void space 1008. For instance,the spray channel void space 1006 may include a first cross-sectionalarea at the spray channel inlet void space 1010 and a secondcross-sectional area at the spray channel outlet void space 1008 thatmay be less than the first-cross sectional area. Additionally, across-sectional shape of the spray channel inlet void space 1010 may bedifferent than a cross-sectional shape of the spray channel outlet voidspace 1008. For instance, the spray channel inlet void space 1010 mayinclude a trapezoidal shape while the spray channel outlet void space1012 may include a circular shape.

The spray channel void space 1006 forms spray channels 806 having aspiral nature, which may assist in imparting a fluid twist to thereductant solution and may further mix the reductant solution within theexhaust pipe 108. In an embodiment, the swirling effect of the reductantsolution may create a plume of reductant solution large enough to extendto an outer periphery of the exhaust pipe 108, for instance, and mayassist in conically spraying the reductant solution into the exhaust104. In some embodiments, the angle at which the spray channel outlets202 are oriented from the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116 mayadjust a plume size or swirling motion of the reductant solution. Forinstance, depending on the application of the nozzle 116, the spraychannel void space 1006 and/or the spray channel outlet void space 1008may be adjusted to create a narrow plume or a wide plume. Additionally,the reduction in cross-sectional area of the spray channel 806 mayimpart velocity into the reductant solution as the reductant solutionpasses from the spray channel inlets 808 and exit the spray channeloutlets 202. The increased velocity may enhance mixing, atomization,and/or dispersion of the reductant solution.

Located at the bottom 1004 of the negative space 1000 may be the airchannel void space 1016, which may correspond to the air channel 304. Asdiscussed above, in some examples the air channel 304 may branch intothe air passageways 600, including four air passageways 600 that directthe air into the interior cavity 700. Accordingly, the negative space1000 may include air passageway void space 1018. For example, the airpassageways void space 1018 may include a first portion 1020, a secondportion 1022, and a third portion 1024.

Each of the air passageway void space 1018 may branch from the airchannel void space 1016 to receive air. As the air passageway void space1018 advance from the first portion 1020 towards the second portion1022, the air passageway void space 1018 may taper inward and reduce incross-sectional area. As shown in FIG. 10, the air passageway void space1018, and particularly the first portion 1020, may taper in multipledirections. As the air passageway void space 1018 approaches theinterior cavity 700 of the nozzle 116, the air passageway void space1018 may curve at the second void space 1022. Therein, the third portion1024 of the air passageway void space 1018 may extend inwardly andtowards the interior cavity 700.

In other words, the reductant channel void space 1018 may form the airchannel 304 that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis204 of the nozzle 116. Therein, the air may pass from the air channel304 to the air passageways 600. The first portion 1020 may besubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 204 and taper as thefirst portion 1020 advances towards the second portion 1022 of the airpassageway void space 1018. The second portion 1022 of air passagewayvoid space 1018 may curve towards the longitudinal axis 204 of thenozzle 116. The third portion 1024 of the air passageway void space 1018may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204.Accordingly, due to the configurations of the air channel void space1016 and the air passageway void space 1018, in some exampleembodiments, the air passageways 600 and/or the air passageway outlets720 may be configured to direct air into the interior cavity 700 in adirection substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204and/or substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of injectedreductant entering the interior cavity 700 from the reductant channel306 (as shown in FIG. 9). In such examples, the reductant channel outlet718 and the air passageway outlets 720 may be substantiallyperpendicular to one another.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the negative space 1000 of the nozzle116. In FIG. 11, each of the air passageway void space 1018 is shownoriented towards the longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116 to disperseair within the interior cavity 700 at different directions. Moreparticularly, the third portion 1024 of respective air passageway voidspaces 1018 may be substantially diametrically opposed from one anothersuch that air directed by the respective air passageways 600 radiallymixes with the reductant at different directions. Additionally, each ofthe air passageway void space 1018 may be substantially similar in sizeto substantially uniformly disperse the air within the interior cavity700.

As also illustrated in FIG. 11, the spray channel void space 1006 mayfollow a trajectory that rotates about the longitudinal axis 204 of thenozzle 116. Each spray channel 806 may include a corresponding spraychannel void space 1006 having a respective central longitudinal axis(not shown) extending from the spray channel inlet void space 1010 tothe spray channel outlet void space 1008. Additionally, the diameter,circumference, or cross-section of the spray channel void space 1006, asmeasured in plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spraychannel void space 1006, may decrease from the spray channel inlet voidspace 1010 to the spray channel outlet void space 1008.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the negative space 1000 ofthe nozzle 116, taken along a X-Y plane and as viewed from anoff-perpendicular angle relative to the X-Y plane. As shown in FIG. 12,the air channel void space 1016 may be configured as a substantiallycylindrical orifice or annular ring. In some examples, the air channelvoid space 1016 may extend into the air passageway void space 1018, andin particular, may extend into the first portion 1020 of the airpassageway void space 1018. FIG. 12 also illustrates that the airpassageway void space 1018 may be oriented in a similar direction as areductant channel void space 1200, which may correspond to the reductantchannel 306, and may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis204 of the nozzle 116. The air passageway void space 1018 may curve ator along the second portion 1022 and orient inward toward the interiorcavity 700 at the third portion 1024. The third portion 1024 of the airpassageway void space 1018 may extend substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116, and may be oriented towards theinterior cavity 700 of the nozzle 116. In an embodiment, the curve alongthe second portion 1022 may be 90 degrees such that dispersed air fromeach of the air passageways 600 may be oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the dispersed reductant exiting from the reductantchannel 306. As shown at the top 1002 of the negative space 1000, thespray channel void space 1006 may follow a trajectory that spirals aboutthe longitudinal axis 204 of the nozzle 116. In an embodiment, the spraychannels 806 may angle or orient away from the longitudinal axis 204 ofthe nozzle 116.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another example nozzle1300. In some embodiments, the nozzle 1300 may include similar featuresas the nozzle 116. The nozzle 1300 may include a first end 1302 and asecond end 1304. FIG. 13 illustrates that air passageways 1306 and areductant channel 1308 may extend from the first end 1302 of the nozzle1300. The air passageways 1306 and the reductant channel 1308 mayreceive air and reductant, respectively, from the supply line 118. Theair passageways 1306 and the reductant channel 1308 may respectivelydirect air and reductant to an interior cavity 1310 formed by the nozzle1300.

The reductant channel 1308 may extend substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis 1312 of the nozzle 1300. In some examples, the airpassageways 1306 may include four portions. For instance, a firstportion 1314 of the air passageways 1306 may be substantially parallelwith the longitudinal axis 1312 of the nozzle 1300. A second portion1316 of the air passageways 1306 may fluidly connect with the firstportion 1312, may be substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis1312 of the nozzle 1300 and may taper in multiple directions, therebyreducing a cross-sectional area of the air passageway 1306. A thirdportion 1318 of the air passageway 1306 may fluidly connect with thesecond portion 1314 and curve towards the longitudinal axis 1312 of thenozzle 1300. A fourth portion 1318 of the air passageway 1306 mayfluidly connect with the third portion 1316 and the interior cavity 1310and may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1312 ofthe nozzle 1300.

The interior cavity 1310 may include a top end 1322 and a bottom end1324 formed by the nozzle 1300. A sidewall 1326 may extend between thetop end 1322 of the interior cavity 1310 and the bottom end 1324 of theinterior cavity 1310 and may be formed by the nozzle 1300. In someexamples, the nozzle 1300 may include a structure 1328 that may suspendfrom the top end 1322 of the interior cavity 1310. In some examples, thestructure 1308 may extend towards the bottom end 1324 of the interiorcavity 1310. Additionally, the structure 1328 may include an impingingsurface 1330 disposed above the bottom end 1324 of the interior cavity1310 and opposite the reductant channel 1308.

Similar to the discussion above with regard to the nozzle 116, reductantmay exit the reductant channel 1308 and impact an impinging surface 1330of the structure 1318 to radially disperse reductant into the interiorcavity 1310. In this process, the impinging surface 1330 may atomize thereductant. That is, the impinging surface 1330 may include similarfeatures as the impinging surface 712 to break-up and atomize thereductant. For instance, the impinging surface 1330 may include asubstantially concave surface. Air may interface with the reductantthrough exiting the air passageways 1306. Therein, a reductant solutionmay advance towards a chamber 1332 for further mixing. The reductantsolution may disperse through spray outlets 1334 located at the top end1322 of the interior cavity 1310. Similar to the spray outlets 202, thespray outlets 1334 and/or channels that feed the spray outlets 1334 mayfollow a trajectory that spirals about the longitudinal axis 1312 of thenozzle 1300.

In some embodiments, by supporting the impinging surface 1330 with thestructure 1328 shown in FIG. 13, reductant may radially disperse fromthe impinging surface 1330 without interference or with less interface.In such embodiments, this may cause an increase in the atomization ofthe reductant as air mixes with the reductant. Additionally, without theobstruction, or with minimized obstruction, reductant may substantiallyuniformly disperse within the interior cavity 1310 for mixing with air.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example manufacturing technique to produce thenozzle 116 and/or the nozzle 1300. Specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates aplurality of nozzles 1400 manufactured on a tray 1402 and using 3Dprinting techniques or other types of additive manufacturing (e.g., castmolding). In an embodiment, all components of the nozzle 116 and/or thenozzle 1300 are manufactured using the 3D printing techniques and moreor less nozzles may be manufactured at a single instance than shown inFIG. 14. Additionally, it is contemplated, that one more of thecomponents of the nozzles discussed above could alternativelymanufactured from other processes.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The exhaust system of the present disclosure may be used with any powersystem having a treatment system to reduce the amount of harmfulemissions generated from internal-combustion engines. More particularly,nozzles of the present disclosure are applicable to any liquid/gasmixing operation, where efficient, even, and thorough mixing ofreductant, air, and exhaust is desired. Although applicable to a rangeof treatment devices/systems, the disclosed treatment system employingthe nozzle may be primarily beneficial when associated with a SCRdevice. The disclosed nozzle assists in the reduction of NO_(x), byeffectively atomizing reductant, and dispersing a mixture of reductantand air in an exhaust gas flow of the engine.

As described above, in some examples the air channel 304 and thereductant channel 306 may receive air and reductant from the supply line118, respectively. The air channel 304 may branch or otherwise splitinto multiple air passageways 600 that taper towards the interior cavity700 of the nozzle 116, where reductant supplied by the reductant channel306 mixes with the air within the interior cavity 700. Specifically, thereductant may impinge upon the concave impinging surface 712 to atomizethe reductant. The reductant may radially disperse from the impingingsurface 712 in a uniform manner. Air supplied by the air passageways 600may mix with the dispersed reductant to further atomize the reductant.The air and reductant solution may advance into the chamber 710 withinthe interior cavity 700 for further mixing and disperse out of thenozzle 116 into the exhaust 104 via spray channels 806 and spray channeloutlets 202. As such, the treatment processes performed within treatmentsystem 102 may include, among other things, a conversion process of NOto NO₂ and/or a particulate removal process. Additionally, the nozzle116 may increase a mixing between reductant and air and may reducecrystallization of the reductant within the nozzle 116. The nozzle 116may also be manufactured from a single piece of material using 3Dprinting techniques to reduce manufacturing and/or assembly times.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the exhaust system of thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the exhaust systemdisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure beingindicated by the following claims and their equivalent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nozzle, comprising: a first end including afirst inlet and a second inlet; a second end including a nozzle outlet,an exterior surface of the nozzle defining a plurality of distinctoutlet apertures at the nozzle outlet; a first channel fluidly connectedto the first inlet and extending substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of the nozzle; a second channel fluidly connected tothe second inlet and extending substantially parallel to the firstchannel; an interior cavity including: a first outlet, the first inletbeing fluidly coupled to the interior cavity via the first channel andthe first outlet; a second outlet, the second inlet being fluidlycoupled to the interior cavity via the second channel and the secondoutlet; and an impinging surface spaced apart from and located oppositethe second outlet along a longitudinal direction, the longitudinaldirection being parallel to the longitudinal axis, the impinging surfaceincluding a concave surface that faces the second outlet along thelongitudinal direction; and a third channel disposed between theimpinging surface and the nozzle outlet along the longitudinaldirection, the interior cavity being fluidly coupled with the pluralityof distinct outlet apertures via the third channel.
 2. The nozzle ofclaim 1, wherein the interior cavity further comprises: a bottom end; atop end; and one or more legs extending from the bottom end to theimpinging surface, wherein the one or more legs support the impingingsurface above the bottom end of the interior cavity.
 3. The nozzle ofclaim 2, wherein: a gap is formed between adjacent legs of the one ormore legs; and the first outlet faces the gap along a radial direction,the radial direction being transverse to the longitudinal direction. 4.The nozzle of claim 1, wherein: the interior cavity includes a bottomend, a top end, and a sidewall extending from the bottom end to the topend; the first outlet is disposed at the sidewall; the second outlet isdisposed at the bottom end; and the third channel is disposed at the topend.
 5. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein an orientation of the firstoutlet is substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the secondoutlet.
 6. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the impinging surface issubstantially centrally located within the interior cavity.
 7. Thenozzle of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity further includes astructure connected to a bottom end of the interior cavity, thestructure including: a first side having the impinging surface; one ormore legs extending from the first side and coupled to the bottom end ofthe interior cavity; and a second side opposite to the first side andhaving a conical surface.
 8. A nozzle, comprising: an interior cavity; astructure disposed within the interior cavity, the structure including:a bottom impinging surface, wherein at least a portion of the bottomimpinging surface is concave; one or more legs supporting the bottomimpinging surface; and a top surface located opposite the bottomimpinging surface, wherein the top surface is conically-shaped; a firstchannel fluidly connected to the interior cavity; one or more secondchannels fluidly connected to the interior cavity, each channel of theone or more second channels extending substantially parallel to thefirst channel; and one or more outlets coupled to the interior cavity,wherein the first channel comprises at least one channel, the one ormore second channels comprises at least four channels, and the one ormore outlets comprises at least eight distinct outlets.
 9. The nozzle ofclaim 8, wherein: the first channel is concentric with the longitudinalaxis; and the bottom impinging surface is substantially centrallylocated within the interior cavity.
 10. The nozzle of claim 8, wherein:the one or more legs encircle the first channel; and a gap is definedbetween adjacent legs of the one or more legs.
 11. The nozzle of claim8, wherein: the interior cavity includes a bottom end, a top end, andsidewall extending from the bottom end to the top end; the bottom endincludes the first channel; and the sidewall includes the one or moresecond channels.
 12. The nozzle of claim 11, wherein: the bottom end ofthe interior cavity is substantially cylindrical; the top end of theinterior cavity is substantially conical; and the sidewall tapers fromthe bottom end to the top end.
 13. The nozzle of claim 8, wherein thefirst channel is substantially perpendicular to the one or more secondchannels.
 14. An exhaust system, comprising: an exhaust pipe configuredto receive exhaust from an engine; and a nozzle located within theexhaust pipe, the nozzle comprising: an interior cavity having a bottomend, a top end, and a sidewall extending from the bottom end to the topend; a channel having a first outlet disposed at the bottom end of theinterior cavity; a passageway having a second outlet disposed at thesidewall of the interior cavity, the passageway extending substantiallyparallel to the channel; a structure disposed within the interiorcavity, the structure including: a first side facing the bottom end ofthe interior cavity and having a substantially concave-shaped surface,wherein the substantially concave-shaped surface directly faces thefirst outlet of the channel; and a leg extending from the bottom end ofthe interior cavity and coupled to the first side, the leg spacing thefirst side from the bottom end of the interior cavity; a spray outletdisposed at the top end of the interior cavity, an exterior surface ofthe nozzle defining a plurality of distinct outlet apertures at thespray outlet; and a supply line fluidly connected to the nozzle, whereinthe supply line is configured to supply reductant to the channel and airto the passageway.
 15. The exhaust system of claim 14, wherein: the legcomprises a first leg; the structure further includes a second legextending from the bottom end of the interior cavity and coupled to thefirst side; and the first leg is spaced apart from the second leg. 16.The exhaust system of claim 15, wherein the second outlet of thepassageway faces a space disposed between the first leg and the secondleg.
 17. The exhaust system of claim 14, wherein the structure furtherincludes a second side facing the top end of the interior cavity andhaving a substantially conical-shaped surface.